M.S. Students

Special Announcements: There is no longer an internal transfer process for new students. All students interested in Computer Science or Data Science programs must apply directly to the program via the traditional application.  Students from other engineering backgrounds may have the opportunity to be admitted to a special expanded 37 unit version of the M.S. in Computer Science designed for Scientists and Engineers.  See details at the bottom of this page.

A maximum of 4 units may be taken from approved 400-level courses for students in select programs; the remaining units must be approved courses at the 500 or 600 level.

A maximum of 2 units of CSCI 590 and a maximum of 2 units of CSCI 591 may be applied to select degrees. Please check in with your department advisor to see if your program is eligible.

Thesis courses (CSCI 594abz) and Internship courses (ENGR 595abcdz/596/597/598) are not eligible for elective credit.

 

M.S. Computer Science Advisement

M.S. Computer Science & Data Science students receive academic advisement from our team of advisors. Students in this program do not have assigned advisors.

Current students can contact the advisement team directly via our dedicated emails:
vsd-csms@usc.edu for CSCI students
vsd-dsms@usc.edu for DSCI students

All advisement appointments are scheduled online through myViterbi. For drop-in advisement, please see below:

March 2026 Drop-in Advising Schedule
(Zoom Link Here)

Date

Time (Pacific)

Monday, March 2nd (ONLINE only)

10:00 AM-11:30AM

Thursday, March 5th (ONLINE only)

2:00-3:30 PM

Monday, March 9th (ONLINE only)

10:00 AM-11:30AM

Thursday, March 12th (ONLINE only)

2:00-3:30 PM

March 16th and Beyond

TBD

Student Resources

Frequently Asked Questions:
M.S. Student Resources:
Degree Requirements:

Helpful Links

Forms and Procedures

Application to Graduate (All Students)

MS students must submit their Application to Graduate to the CS department after they have finalized their last semester’s enrollment. Advisors will announce the deadline for submitting the Application to Graduate at the start of each semester. Please use the "Application to Graduate" tool in the myViterbi portal. We do not accept the paper application. Failure to submit your electronic graduation application in myViterbi may delay your degree conferral and prevent you from being included in commencement-related announcements and activities. PDP students must also submit the Application to Graduate. Online Form (myViterbi)
 
DEN Course Petition (On Campus Students)
On campus students who need to take an off campus (DEN) course must petition with the DEN & VASE Office using their online petition form.
 
Transfer Credit Evaluation
Please read the instructions on this page carefully. You must first verify your prior bachelor's degree before requesting a transfer credit evaluation. Complete the transfer credit evaluation form and turn it in to the Registrar's Office. After they evaluate your courses you will receive a Graduate Transfer Credit Report. From there, you will need to send our department the course syllabi for the courses that have been approved to transfer, along with a statement as to why you believe the  course should count. The CS department will review the courses and apply approved courses to your M.S. degree.  The number of transfer units eligible to be applied varies by program.
 
Leave of Absence
Students can be approved for up to 4 semesters of leave. Domestic students must obtain CS department approval. International students must obtain approval from the VASE Office (OHE 106) and the Office of International Services. Students interested in a leave will need to submit their request via myViterbi.
 
Reduced Course Load (RCL)
International students must be registered for a full course of study during fall and spring semesters. Registration is not required in Summer semesters, unless it is the student’s first or last semester. International students who plan to be enrolled for less than full-time must submit the Reduced Course Load form. Please note that RCL is administrated by the Viterbi Admission and Student Engagement Office in OHE 106 along with the Office of International Services (OIS). The CS Advisors cannot sign or approve your RCL application. Please see here for more information.
 
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
CPT is administrated by the Viterbi Admission and Student Engagement Office in OHE 106 along with the Office of International Services (OIS). The CS Advisors cannot sign or approve your CPT application. Approval comes from the VASE Office. To apply for CPT, please first review the CPT information at the VASE Office’s website and the OIS website, then make an appointment with an Advisor in the VASE Office if you have questions.
 
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
OPT is administrated by the Viterbi Admission and Student Engagement Office in OHE 106 along with the Office of International Services (OIS). The CS Advisors cannot sign or approve your OPT application. Approval comes from the VASE Office. To apply for OPT, please first review the OPT information at the VASE Office’s website and the OIS website, then make an appointment with an Advisor in the VASE Office in OHE 106. Note: You must file for graduation with the CS department before the VASE Office will approve your OPT application.
 
Transfer to CS:
  • Important: There is no longer an internal transfer process for new students. New students must apply directly to the CS program via the Viterbi Graduate Admissions Office. Students without an academic background in CS must apply for the Master of Science in Computer Science (Scientists and Engineers), which is a full-time 2 year, 37 unit program.
  • You must attend the program for which you were admitted and certified.
  • Students admitted to other Viterbi departments are not permitted to take CSCI courses during their first semester.
  • Ph.D. Students from outside Viterbi seeking to add an M.S. in Computer Science or Viterbi M.S. students seeking a 2nd M.S. in Computer Science should apply via the Viterbi Graduate Admissions Office.

  • Viterbi Ph.D. students seeking to add a M.S. in Computer Science will also need to apply via the Viterbi Graduate Admissions Office.

Published on June 14th, 2016Last updated on February 26th, 2026